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A sea otter at play
A spectacular northern sunset
Grizzly bear
Thriving native culture
walrus, whales and other sea creatures. Savoonga
on St. Lawrence Island is hailed as the ‘Walrus
Capital of the World’: the bits of the animals the
natives can’t eat they carve. Continue north as far
as the Arctic Circle with sightings of minke,
humpback and bowhead whales a constant
possibility. Upon arrival in Nome, explore this
colourful little town before leaving on a flight to
Anchorage at the end of your tour.
SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY
The first thing many guests notice when stepping
on board the Spirit of Discovery is the light and
airy Discovery Lounge with a wall of floor-toceiling
windows on three sides. Nearby is the bar
and a library with lovely detailed woodwork. The
ship accommodates a maximum of 84 passengers
and each stateroom has a large picture window,
many of which open. The ship has ample outside
deck space, especially in the bow which is a great
spot to look out for wildlife.
Wilderness Inside Passage
This wilderness cruise takes you to many of
Alaska’s most stunning natural highlights. Set sail
from Juneau to Tracy Arm where sheer cliffs
rise thousands of feet from the waterline to
snow-capped peaks, their sides studded with
stunning waterfalls. Subject to weather conditions,
you can explore this wilderness by zodiac before
the cruise continues to Frederick Sound. These
waters teem with humpback whales, so keep
your binoculars handy. Spirit of Discovery is small
enough to negotiate beautiful Peril Strait to dock
close to the heart of Sitka, your next stop, a jewel
of the Inside Passage with a breathtaking setting
and Russian history. In Icy Strait you may see
humpback whales spouting, sounding and
breaching. Passing the tiny Inian Islands you
arrive at the World Heritage Site of Glacier Bay
National Park, where receding glaciers are
leaving in their wake scoured cliffs and deep
fjords. The most impressive sights here are 4,572
metre-high Mount Fairweather, massive glaciers of
all varieties – hanging, tidewater, valley – and the
birds and Stellar sealions of South Marble Island.
Visits will be made to some remote Alaska
villages to experience life in these isolated
communities before returning to Juneau at the
end of your voyage.
Cruising amidst glaciers
SNOW GOOSE
The 20 metre steel motor vessel Snow Goose was
built in Alaska in 1973 as a private yacht. She sleeps
12 passengers in six private double bedded cabins
sharing three lavatories and two showers. The main
deck features a spacious, airy salon, a library of
natural history books, the galley and a dining area.
Large windows provide great viewing on all sides
and easy access to the deck. The upper bridge deck
provides a lovely vantage point for spotting wildlife
and comfortable seating for passengers who wish
to get involved with the navigation of the ship.
Snow Goose will enable you to explore the natural
history and native American heritage of southeast
Alaska. Highlights include watching humpback
whales, seeing native totem poles, sighting bears
on beaches and travelling up spectacular mountain
fjords to find icebergs and glaciers. Most of the
voyages will be in the Tongass National Forest –
the largest in North America. Daily shore
excursions discover beautiful forest walks, tumbling
waterfalls and walks in alpine meadows. With a
naturalist on board, you will be able to observe the
fascinating wildlife and explore the shoreline for
larger mammals. The itinerary is intentionally flexible
to meet individual interests, weather patterns, and
of course, to take full advantage of wildlife sightings.
Alaska
Telephone: 01993 838 700
Spirit of Discovery
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